Secondary Music with QTS (School Direct)

The Faculty of Education has a longstanding national reputation for providing high-calibre initial teacher training with over 20 Secondary specialisms available. We have a well established partnership with over 800 secondary schools and colleges across the North West region and beyond.

These PGCE courses, which are closely linked to the Royal Northern College of Music, will prepare you for a career in music teaching and challenge your thoughts about music education. The Specialist Instrumental Teaching route combines learning to teach music in the classroom and teaching your instrument (wind, brass, percussion, strings or voice) in different contexts.

Our award-winning Brooks building in Manchester has specialist music facilities, including practice rooms.

A minimum of 120 days school based practice training is combined with university based training and periods of independent study. Trainees are supported throughout by university and placement mentors.

Applicants should note these are two separate PGCEs within the same programme so they will need to specify which one they are applying for.

These courses are available via University led and School Direct routes.

We also offer an Assessment-Only route to Qualified Teacher Status (QTS) aimed at experienced, but unqualified graduate teachers, wishing to complete a formal qualification.

Entry requirements

Degree
You will normally have an undergraduate honours degree awarded by a UK university, or an equivalent higher education qualification. 2:2 or above is normally required, or you must possess and show the necessary skills as a musician and an educator.

Music is a unique subject and we have several high quality trainees who have had degrees in non-music subjects, but through professional work have shown the necessary skills to enter the course.

For exceptional candidates, particularly those with substantial relevant work experience in schools or relevant occupations, we will consider applications from those who hold a 3rd class degree.

GCSEs:
All applicants require GCSE Grade C or above in English Language and Maths at point of entry.

Experience in educational settings
Prior to applying to Manchester Met, it is valuable to draw upon your experience in different learning contexts. This can be evidenced in several ways, such as time spent in schools or colleges, relevant practical experience in industry, voluntary organisations and other settings.

You should clearly reference this experience in your application and comment on the insights you have gained into the professional teaching role.

Professional skills tests in Numeracy and Literacy

All PGCE applicants will need to pass pre-entry Professional Skills Tests in Numeracy and Literacy. We recommend you check the Department of Education website at www.education.gov.uk/get-into-teaching for the latest updates

A Disclosure and Barring Service Check and DfE Fitness to Teach test are also required.

There’s further information for international students on our international website if you’re applying with non-UK qualifications.

Course modules

Trainees will engage with current educational issues and recent and relevant research in order to further develop your understanding and to generate challenging and lively debate.

There will be a focus on:

Promoting an inclusive learning and teaching environment

Working in multi-professional teams

Creating a climate for learning in the classroom

Learning and teaching strategies

Managing students' behaviour

Planning and evaluating students' learning

Developing knowledge and understanding of teachers' professional responsibilities

Assessment methods

Our PGCE Secondary programme combines practical teaching experience with written assignments. Trainees will complete a portfolio detailing their Record of Professional Development and a Career Entry Profile. Satisfactory attendance and professional engagement with the programme are also necessary factors in the successful completion of your chosen route.

Fees

All of the books required for the course are available from the library. The University also has PC labs and a laptop loan service. However, many students choose to buy some of the core textbooks for the course and/or a laptop. Students may also need to print their assignments and other documents. Campus printing costs start from 5p per page. Estimated costs are £300 for a laptop up to £100 each year for books and printing.

If you are applying through the University-led route, the University will organise your placements - we do not expect you to do this. Starting with the students term time postcode we match this with placement offers from schools. Students are expected to travel up to 1.5 hours each way from where they live and to arrive in their school 45 minutes before the school day commences. Travel by public transport may involve a number of changes e.g. train and bus. We take into consideration special circumstances, such as, disabilities, cultural requirements and medical conditions. In addition, we match carefully to ensure a breadth of experience across different key stages. You will need to budget for travel costs to your placement. You may be able to claim back a contribution if you do not have a bursary or you have to travel over a specified distance set by the Faculty. If you are applying through the School Direct route, the lead school will take responsibility for arranging all practice credit units including placement experiences. You should expect some travel to other schools e.g. for your second placement. You may also need to budget for student membership of professional bodies.

DBS Checks - Before starting on your course, you must undergo a satisfactory Disclosure and Barring Service check (Enhanced Disclosure). At the time of going to press, ITET applicants do not have to pay for the first DBS check. If you cannot attend a DBS session at the University before the start of the course, you can use the UK Post Office Document Certification Service, which costs approximately £10. Responsibility for DBS clearance on employment based and CPD programmes normally lies with your employer and not the University. Where a new DBS check is required for placement but not supported by your employer, the University will pay the cost of your first check. If you are not a UK citizen, or if you have lived in one country outside the UK for six or more months in the last five years, you must where this is possible obtain a police clearance certificate from the country in which you resided, in addition to the Disclosure and Barring Service check. You must supply a certified translation if the certificate does not automatically include this. Costs vary and can include fingerprint and translation fees where required. Returning students, who have already had a DBS certificate from Manchester Met and who need a second DBS certificate, for example, due to a suspension of study, are required to pay the DBS fee. Please go to our DBS webpage for more details and for current DBS fees: http://www.mmu.ac.uk/dbs /Membership of the Design and Technology Association (DATA) is encouraged, but is not mandatory.

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